The protection of sensitive ecosystems or habitat for flora and fauna that may be destroyed during site preparation is a major challenge. Some companies however, only pay royalties on their net, after expenses.įollowing the decision to drill, a well pad is prepared, the area for the well is leveled off, gravel roads are constructed, and pipelines installed. Thousands of leases have been signed with prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to $5,000/acre ($2024/ha), paying 12−20% royalties, and offering hopes of economic prosperity (6). Many land owners are expected to benefit financially. There are new marketing opportunities for businesses with innovative wastewater treatment technologies. Tax revenues for state and local governments, generated from indirect business taxes, including excise taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes increased by more than $238 million from the previous year (5). In Pennsylvania alone, 2008 estimates show the creation of more than 29,000 jobs and revenues of $2.3 billion (5).
A large demand for laborers at the gas fields and support businesses, such as drilling contractors, hydraulic fracturing companies, and trucking companies is also expected. Nevertheless, Marcellus Shale extraction is expected to usher jobs creation and other economic opportunities. The large amount of water used, and management of the wastewater are also very costly factors. A typical horizontal drilled well, using multistage fracturing techniques, costs roughly $3−5 million to complete. Natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale is currently an expensive endeavor.
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